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In an effort to enhance communication skills and strategies within the church community, the Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM) held a training session from September 12 to 14, 2024. Pastor Teint Saung, the MYUM Communication Director, and Pastor Heshbon Buscato, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) Communication Director, collaborated on this initiative to equip Mission Communication Directors, media staff, and AWR workers with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to advance the gospel work through technology.

Despite the political challenges Myanmar is currently facing, which have made worship difficult in some regions, the church's media ministry has been instrumental in reaching out to various provinces, including areas where churches are situated in particularly challenging conditions. The training not only sought to strengthen these outreach efforts but also provided essential tools for enhancing communication, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The three-day event aimed to foster more effective communication strategies among church leaders and media personnel, crucial for the success of mission outreach and media operations. The training covered a range of topics essential for improving internal and external communication within the church and its associated media platforms.

The training focuses on the fundamentals of Adventist communication. Pastor Teint Saung and Pastor Heshbon Buscato shared insights on the principles of clear and impactful messaging. The session included interactive workshops on message crafting, audience analysis, and utilizing various communication channels to effectively reach different demographics. Special emphasis was placed on tailoring messages to resonate with audiences living in politically sensitive regions, where church activities often face restrictions.

The training also delved into various media strategies and tool utilization specifics. 
Participants learned about modern media tools, including digital platforms and social media, which are increasingly integral to reaching broader audiences. Practical demonstrations showed how to create engaging content, manage social media accounts, and leverage multimedia tools to enhance message distribution, all with the goal of reaching isolated communities.

More topics involving the communication work, such as crisis communication and community engagement, were discussed further in the meeting. The trainers provided strategies for handling communication during challenging situations and emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and trust with the community. Participants engaged in role-playing exercises to practice their response to potential communication crises and learned methods to strengthen community relations through effective communication.

Attendees, including Mission Communication Directors, media assistants, and AWR workers, found the training highly beneficial. The interactive format and hands-on approach allowed them to apply new concepts in real-time and collaborate with peers to solve communication challenges. Feedback highlighted the practical value of the skills acquired, with many expressing enthusiasm about implementing these strategies in their respective roles.

The media ministry's role in reaching isolated areas within Myanmar, combined with the successful execution of this training, marks a significant step forward for communication within the MYUM. By equipping leaders and media personnel with enhanced communication skills, media teams in Myanmar aim to improve their outreach effectiveness, ensure more engaging and transparent interactions with their communities, and bolster the overall mission impact, especially in regions where in-person worship remains challenging.

The leadership in this initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to the development of communication practices that can drive the mission’s goals forward. As these newly acquired skills are put into practice, the MYUM looks forward to more impactful and efficient communication strategies that will support its mission and enhance its outreach efforts.

The training represents a valuable investment in the capacity-building of communication teams, especially as they work under difficult conditions. With strengthened skills and renewed strategies, the mission is better positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of communication and media, ultimately contributing to its broader objectives and community engagement efforts.

Myanmar Union Mission Communication Department